Unless you have been living in a nuclear fallout shelter for the past year and a half, you know that we’re all living in a brave new world. What was as soon as up (a.k.a. the stock market) is now down, what was down (a.k.a. mortgage rates) is now up. So what does this mean for you and your future? Don’t worry. Alter means, amongst other issues, new growth and new job opportunities. There are plenty of fantastic jobs out there, and we’ll be the ones to help you uncover them.

Right after performing some homework, we’ve put together the following criteria (concerning jobs, industries, and training) to assist you choose what career will be best for you not just tomorrow, but for the next decade.

Want to know which jobs are growing so fast you practically need to have to pull out your fire extinguisher to cool them off? Take a look at the following list of top 30 jobs put together by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Biomedical engineers
Network systems and information communications analysts
Residence health aides
Personal and residence care aides
Monetary examiners
Medical scientists (excluding epidemiologists)
Physician assistants
Skin care specialists
Biochemists and biophysicists
Athletic trainers
Physical therapist aides
Dental hygienists
Veterinary technologists and technicians
Dental assistants
Laptop or computer software program engineers, applications
Medical assistants
Physical therapist assistants
Veterinarians
Self-enrichment education teachers
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation
Occupational therapist aides
Environmental engineers
Pharmacy technicians
Personal computer software engineers, systems software
Survey researchers
Physical therapists
Personal monetary advisors
Environmental engineering technicians
Occupational therapist assistants
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors

So how does the BLS figure out which jobs will be growing the fastest not just next year, but all the way through 2018? In the November 2009 problem of the Monthly Labor Review where the study results were originally published, author Kristina Bartsch explains they look at a number of factors, including which sectors of the economy will grow (such as the service-providing industries), which sectors will shrink (such as goods-producing sectors), and what type of vacancies will be produced as the workforce ages, retires or modifications careers. Finest of all? Bartsch says that, of the 30 jobs listed above, many have fewer educational or training requirements. (Becoming a individual trainer, for example, does need certification, but not necessarily a bachelor’s in kinesiology.) This means you don’t have to get take out a lot more student loans and get another degree to work in one the future’s best jobs.

Ok, so now we know which jobs are growing the fastest. But if you’re not into 1 of the 30 jobs listed above, there is still hope. You can look at the industries that are booming and watch for your dream job to pop up in that sector. For example, if you are a communications director and you know that wellness care is an market that’s leading the pack, you can look for communications positions at hospitals, medical investigation facilities, well being care groups—anything related to the healthcare market.

Some of the tried-and-accurate favorites consist of (you guessed it) health care, technologies, and education. These industries usually appear to be growing, to the point that some call them recession-proof. But with the Department of Labor’s (DOL) January 6 announcement concerning million in Energy Training Partnership Grants, you can factor green jobs in that equation too. (By the way, that million is in addition to million given in November 2009, all as component of the Recovery Act. The Department of Labor expects to release funding for two remaining green grant award categories over the beginning of 2010.)

The DOL also listed the following among the fastest-growing industries by way of 2018:

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
Individual and family members services
Residence wellness care services
Specialized design services
Individual care services
Outpatient, laboratory, and other ambulatory care services
Facilities support services
Software program publishers
Independent artists, writers and performers
Neighborhood government passenger transit (CTA, everyone?)
Scientific study and development services
Waste management and remediation
Community and vocational rehabilitation services

If you’re in school, going back to school, or thinking about going back to school, now’s a excellent time to fine-tune your training. According to Dianna Middleton’s Wall Street Journal post “Landing a Job of the Future takes a Two-Track Mind,” organizations will soon be searching for candidates with not just a vertical skill set, but a horizontal 1. Conventional degrees, like laptop or computer engineering, will need to be paired with study or experience in emerging fields, such as on the web marketing or social media.  In other words, those leading-dog systems analysts could also require to know how manage their company’s Twitter accounts, and veterinary technicians may want to be crossed trained in information entry and program management. So if you’re pursuing a degree, think about taking a couple of classes in a new and emerging field that will assist increase your resume and your skill set.

The point is that there are lots of opportunities out there, and not just to make a few bucks, but to discover a career that you really like and that will fit your lifestyle. Have questions about jobs, degrees, or how to get began? Call 1-866-305-8525 to speak with to one of myFootpath’s  college advisors.